Winter/Spring bass travel distances and speeds

[casts_by_fly]

Hi All,

 

Anyone know of any studies to show how far bass move and how quickly in the winter or spring time?  One of our reservoirs was 25' low this summer and still is about that much.  I'm sure it will fill over the winter, but an area I want to fish is a solid 1-1.5miles of dry land right now to the nearest bass.  I recon it won't be until Feb sometime until its back up to the 8-15' deep it normally is and I'm wondering if the bass will travel that far for the pre-spawn in late april.  I'm hopeful since its a big stump flat that I think could give up some bags of fish.  I'm going to fish it regardless (unless its still dry), but was curious to look ahead to next year.

 

thanks,

rick

[casts_by_fly]

For reference, this is what I’m talking about being excited for. These would be in 3-12’ at normal pool and there are a lot more not shown in the pictures. 

 

 

[Deleted account]

Yes. There are several studies on the subject, the gist seems to be that (not surprisingly) bass will travel as much or as little as necessary to spawn, and that it is often driven by the specifics of the body of water as well as the climate, and water levels. If the area you are referring to has a history of being a good pre spawn/spawn area, then it will continue to be so given similar water levels. Of course if the lower water levels persist, then the "new" preferred spawning areas will be somewhere further out.

[WRB]

Bass need about 1’ of water minimum to spawn, maximum depends on depth of light. The water also needs to be warm enough for eggs to hatch before eaten by predator egg eating fish.

If the area is wind protected and a spawning area in the past with enough water to support bass spawn they will be there.

If not enough water they will be close by.

Tom

[Catt]

Radio telemetry study of Toledo Bend showed some bass moved up to 10 miles to spawn. 

 

Ain't gonna get into temperatures or depths because it changes dramatically from one body of water to the next. 

[casts_by_fly]

Thanks gents, super helpful. Last year prespawn I caught bass in the steeper slopes leading here but didn’t go far enough to fish this. I also didn’t know about this stump field. I suspect that the fish will follow the baitfish (which are coming up this creek for warmth) and stage earlier at the steeper slopes where I found them, eventually working their way up this flat as the water warms to their liking.  Eventually they will find a stump or patch to spawn at. It starts around 12-13’ and goes to nothing so lots of choices.